2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (Photo: Tim Hurst)

Union of Concerned Scientists calls on Ford to ditch Chamber of Commerce

The well-publicized exodus of several major firms from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over the business association’s opposition to climate legislation has sparked calls for similar action to be taken by other prominent companies.

Companies, such as Apple, Microsoft, have publicly distanced themselves from the Chamber’s regressive actions on climate change; Nike has come under pressure from stockholder groups; and while Toyota said they are as supportive as ever of the Chamber, company officials also indicated they may hold some policy views different from the umbrella organization.

The latest firm to come under criticism for its involvement with the Chamber is Ford Motor Company. The Union of Concerned Scientists Clean Vehicles Program coordinators Thursday launched a campaign to urge the American auto maker to withdraw. UCS penned a letter to Ford chairmain, William Ford Jr., and sent it out to UCS membership.

While the letter praised Ford for its work developing more fuel-efficient vehicles, such as the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, it was also critical of Ford and the company’s involvement with the U.S. Chamber, an organization that is fighting tooth and nail to oppose substantive climate legislation in the Congress. The letter from the UCS reads:

Dear Mr. Ford,

I was delighted to see that your company has joined the chorus of support for the new national clean car standards. Unfortunately, this forward-thinking position is marred by your continued affiliation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its aggressive, anti-science stance on the pressing issue of climate change.

Earlier this year, you yourself said, “We now have an opportunity to preserve our environment and our manufacturing base by applying breakthrough technologies to create energy-efficient processes and products. We can gain a clear competitive advantage by becoming leaders in this green technology.” Indeed, the Ford Motor Company is already benefitting from that opportunity, as Ford’s hybrid vehicles have experienced a 73 percent increase in sales so far in 2009.

Yet Ford remains a part of a Chamber that has sued the Environmental Protection Agency to prevent action toward cleaner cars and other global warming solutions, going directly against scientific consensus and pressing need.

I therefore ask that you lead the board of directors to make a public break between Ford and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to show that your company’s recent action on clean cars is a long-term commitment and not just temporary political expediency.

Ford profits have surged this late summer and early fall, thanks in part to the Cash for Clunkers program, but also thanks to the popularity of the 2010 Fusion hybrid.